The words flow from his heart with the same richness of meaning as if from the lips of a dying patriarch with his family at his bedside:
“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with Christian love.”
These words of the Apostle Paul were the last ones of his second letter to the church at Corinth. He had dealt with some very difficult matters of spiritual discipline in the letter and there was the distinct likelihood that some in the congregation weren’t happy with what Paul wrote.
Even so, just like a loving father who says what needs to be said in a corrective sense, Paul focused in earlier portions of the book on what the Holy Spirit wanted him to say.
Now, in perhaps his final communication to the congregation that he loved so much, Paul wanted to make sure that the flock knew his heart tilted toward love, not condemning criticism. He also wanted the members of the congregation to have the same focus toward one another.
The list bears repeating for our hearts and minds. Why? Because we are, by nature, drawn toward division rather than unity.
The Kingdom of God on earth — known as the Church — will not thrive and grow without that unity, though. And so we have Paul’s words that tell us to:
- Be joyful.
- Grow to maturity.
- Encourage each other.
- Live in harmony and peace.
- Greet each other with Christian love.
Then, Paul promises, the God of love and peace will be with us.
Listen, the list above is not something that can be done by a Lone Ranger.
These imperatives are intended to build and preserve the community of faith that God ordained and Jesus established as the Church.
Please join me in self-examination.
If we’re not joyful in our church life, then it’s likely because we’ve not let go of an unrealistic expectation for others.
If we’re not growing in our knowledge of the Word and resilience during adversity, it’s likely because we’re settling for spiritual immaturity.
Let’s encourage more.
Let’s forgive more and adapt more and move to the back of the line more.
And, please, let’s greet others at church as Jesus would greet them — with grace and a smile.
The results will be clear, I’m sure, and our Father will love how His children are loving each other.
As always, I love you
Martin
